Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Defensive Effort Sends Tennessee Past Ole Miss, 65-51

Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Defensive Effort Sends Tennessee Past Ole Miss, 65-51

Posted on February 3, 2023

Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Harper Presser | Horston/Hollingshead Presser 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee bounced back from a pair of setbacks to top-five teams, utilizing solid defense and timely buckets to secure a 65-51 wire-to-wire victory over Ole Miss in Thompson-Boling Arena on Thursday night to improve to 9-1 in Southeastern Conference play.
 
Senior guard Jordan Horston was the game’s top scorer with 20 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Senior forward Rickea Jackson was also in double digits for UT (17-8, 9-1 SEC) with 16, while 5-foot-8 graduate guard Jordan Walker paced the Big Orange on the boards with eight to go along with a game-high four steals, four assists and six points.
 
Angel Baker and Marquesha Davis led UM (18-5, 7-3 SEC) with 14 and 11 points, respectively, as Tennessee held the Rebels to their lowest point production of the season. The 51 points by Ole Miss also represents the fewest surrendered by UT in league play and the second fewest of the season behind the 39 they allowed Chattanooga on December 6.
 
Jackson hit a layup 40 seconds into the contest, as Tennessee opened the game with three straight buckets to lead 6-0 by the 6:33 mark. UT held the Rebels without a point for nearly four minutes until Snudda Collins knocked down a jumper to get UM on the board. Ole Miss hit just two field goals in the first quarter but found some success at the free-throw line as the Lady Vols jumped out to a 15-8 lead at the end of one.
 
Davis scored the first bucket of the second period to get UM into double digits, but Walker drained a three to log the first points of a 6-0 run that put UT on top by 11 with 6:11 left in the half. Ayanna Thompson responded with a trey on Ole Miss’ next possession to kickstart an 11-5 scoring streak that had the Rebels within five at 26-21 with 2:23 on the clock. Horston hit the last points of the half from the charity stripe, sending Tennessee into the locker room with a 28-21 lead.
 
The Rebels scrapped within four in the opening minutes of the second half while holding UT without a basket for nearly two and a half minutes before Karolina Striplin found Horston streaking into the lane for an open layup. Striplin followed that up with a 3-pointer 20 seconds later to put the Lady Vols up 33-26 at the 7:18 mark. The teams swapped buckets for the next three minutes until Horston and Jasmine Franklin combined for six straight points to put Tennessee up 43-32 with 1:24 left in the third. Madison Scott finished the quarter with a layup to end a nearly four-minute UM scoring slump and send the game into the final stanza with Tennessee on top, 43-34.
 
Horston drained back-to-back jumpers at the start of the fourth to quickly extend the Lady Vols’ lead to 13. Baker and Davis responded by stringing together a 7-0 run for the Rebels to narrow UT’s advantage to 47-41 with 7:01 to play. With 5:40 left in the game Jackson came up with a steal and was fouled on the fast break, turning it into two points from the free-throw line, and Horston followed it up with a layup on the fast break on the next play to give UT a 10-point cushion by the media timeout. Following the break, UT outscored UM 12-4 over a three-minute span to expand its lead to as many as 18 before closing the game out with a 65-51 victory.              
 
UP NEXT: Tennessee will travel to Starkville for its second straight Monday night matchup, facing Mississippi State in a 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT contest that will be broadcast on SEC Network.
 
FIREY FIRST-QUARTER DEFENSE: Tennessee limited Ole Miss to eight points in the opening frame, marking the seventh time this season Tennessee has held an opponent to a single-digit point total in the first quarter, including four times in SEC play. The Lady Vol defense harassed the Rebels into 2-for-17 shooting (11.8 percent) in the period.
 
HOLLINGSHEAD ON THE HUNT: Sophomore forward Jillian Hollingshead, who produced nine points and five rebounds in 22 minutes vs. Ole Miss, has averaged 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds over the last four games. She has hit 14 of 22 field goal attempts for a 63.6 percentage.
 
CAPITALIZING ON SECOND CHANCES: Tennessee outscored the Rebels 17-4 in second chance points (via 19 offensive rebounds), marking the 18th time this season the Lady Vols have gotten the better of their opponent. This was the ninth time in 10 SEC contests that UT has won this statistical category.
 
THE DYNAMIC DUO CONTINUES: Jordan Horston and Rickea Jackson again set the tone for Tennessee, with Horston recording her sixth 20-point game and 20th double-figure effort of the season. She now is averaging 15.7 ppg. for the year.  Jackson, meanwhile, scored in double figures for the 21st time. She is averaging 17.7 for the season and has eight 20-point games to her credit to lead the Lady Vols in 2022-23.

-UT Athletics

Jillian Hollingshead – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
Alec Abeln Elevated To Tennessee Tight Ends Coach

Alec Abeln Elevated To Tennessee Tight Ends Coach

Posted on February 3, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Alec Abeln, who was a key member of a Tennessee staff that developed the nation’s most explosive offense the past two seasons, has been named the Volunteers’ new tight ends coach, head coach Josh Heupel announced on Thursday.  

Abeln (pronounced ABE-lin), a native of St. Louis, Missouri, worked closely with the offensive line and all facets of the offense as an offensive analyst during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He was involved in Tennessee’s preparation leading up to a 31-14 victory over ACC champion Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl. 

“Alec has played an integral role in our offensive staff room over the past two years, and we are excited to elevate him to tight ends coach,” Heupel said. “Alec played for me and has been a part of our staff at multiple programs. He is detail-oriented with a relentless work ethic. He has built great relationships among our players and staff. Alec is eager to get on the field, and I know we will continue to raise the standard of our tight end unit under his watch.”  

“I am grateful to Coach Heupel for this opportunity,” Abeln said. “I have an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for our players and our staff, and I am excited to get on the field with our tight ends. Coach Heupel has established a clear standard of who we want to be as a team, and I will work tirelessly to ensure we uphold it. I look forward to helping our tight ends reach their potential, while also making an impact on the recruiting trail.”

Not only does Abeln have familiarity with Heupel, but he has made an impact at three different SEC programs. He played at Missouri and also served on the Tigers’ staff and Ole Miss’ staff before coming to Tennessee. Abeln and Heupel have worked together dating back to 2016.

Abeln immediately joined Heupel’s staff in Knoxville in the spring of 2021 as an offensive analyst. In its last two seasons, the program has enjoyed its greatest success in decades, producing an 18-8 record, seven ranked wins, its first No. 1 ranking since 1998 and a New Year’s Six Bowl victory in December.

In 2022, Abeln was part of an offensive room that led the nation in scoring offense (46.1), total offense (525.5), passing efficiency (181.4) and total touchdowns (79) for the first time in school history. The Vols shattered 13 single-season offensive records, including total points (599), points per game, total offense (6,832), total offense per game, yards per play (7.2), total touchdowns, passing touchdowns (38), rushing touchdowns (40), completion percentage (68.7), passing efficiency, passing yards (4,239), fewest interceptions thrown (3) and first downs (330).

Abeln launched his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant at his alma mater of Missouri in 2018 before joining Heupel’s UCF staff in January 2019. That season saw the Knights rank second in the FBS in total offense (540.5) and fifth nationally in points per game (43.4).

Abeln spent the 2020 season as an offensive assistant at Ole Miss. The Rebels led the SEC in total offense (555.5) and rushing offense (210.6), while ranking third in scoring offense (39.2) that fall. They produced six games of over 500 yards of total offense and ranked third nationally in yards per game.

Abeln played at Missouri from 2013-17, where he was coached by Heupel in his final two seasons. He spent time on the offensive line before transitioning to fullback and tight end as a senior. He played in 32 career games and all 13 contests in 2017, helping the Tigers to a Texas Bowl berth. The 2017 and 2016 seasons saw Mizzou finish first in the SEC in fewest sacks allowed with 13 and 14, respectively.

Abeln was part of an offensive unit that led the SEC in total offense in each of his final two seasons, putting up 502.2 yards per game in 2017 and 500.5 yards per game in 2016.

Abeln earned bachelor’s degrees in Finance and English from Missouri in 2018.   

-UT Athletics

Alec Abeln – UT TE Coach / Credit: UT Athletics
NCAA-Leading Six Vols Tabbed as NCBWA Preseason All-Americans

NCAA-Leading Six Vols Tabbed as NCBWA Preseason All-Americans

Posted on February 3, 2023

DALLAS – Tennessee had six players tabbed as preseason All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Thursday.

The Vols’ six selections were the most of any team in the country, edging out Stanford (five) and LSU (four), respectively.

The NCBWA became the fourth organization to name all three of the Vols’ projected weekend starting pitchers preseason All-Americans as Chase Dollander, Chase Burns and Drew Beam occupied three of the six starting pitcher spots on the first team.

Dollander and Burns have now earned unanimous preseason first-team All-America status after also being named first-teamers by D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball News and Perfect Game.

Joining UT’s trio of starting pitchers was junior shortstop Maui Ahuna (second team), senior reliever Kirby Connell (second team) and graduate senior pitcher Camden Sewell (third team).

Dollander is regarded as one of the top draft prospects in the country entering this season following a stellar sophomore year in 2022 which saw him earn consensus first-team All-America honors and become just the second player in program history to be named SEC Pitcher of Year.
The Evans, Georgia, native posted a perfect 10-0 record and led the country with a 0.80 WHIP. He also finished second in the SEC with 108 strikeouts and led the league with a 2.39 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a paltry .175 batting average.

Burns was one of the top freshmen in the country in 2022, earning freshman of the year or freshman pitcher of the year recognition from the NCBWA, D1Baseball and Collegiate Baseball News while garnering unanimous Freshman All-America honors. The hard-throwing right hander was the first pitcher in program history to earn three national award honors in the same season.

Burns was also named to four All-America teams following his debut season, joining former AL Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey (1994) as the only players in program history to be selected to four All-America teams as true freshmen. The Gallatin, Tennessee, native had a phenomenal freshman campaign for the Big Orange, finishing with an 8-2 record and 2.91 ERA to go along with 103 strikeouts while serving as the Vols’ Friday night starter for the majority of the season.

Beam was also a unanimous Freshman All-American after a standout season in 2022. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native was a staple in UT’s weekend rotation, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors after posting an 8-1 record to go along with a 2.72 ERA over a team-high 15 starts. Beam held opposing hitters to a .186 batting average and had an impressive 0.93 WHIP. His 2.72 ERA was the fourth best all-time among Tennessee freshmen. Beam has earned preseason All-America honors from four of the five majors outlets this year.

Ahuna joins the Vols after two impressive seasons at the University of Kansas, where he garnered first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection as a true freshman in 2021.

Another highly regarded 2023 MLB Draft prospect, Ahuna is considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the country while also boasting impressive numbers at the plate during his collegiate career, posting a .357 batting average with 75 runs scored, 27 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs, 73 RBIs and 21 stolen bases over the past two seasons with the Jayhawks. Ahuna earned the honor of playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this past summer, as well. Like Beam, Ahuna has been recognized as a preseason All-American by four of the five major outlets.

Connell quietly put together one of the better seasons of any reliever in the SEC last season, leading the Vols with a 1.66 ERA in a team-high 30 appearances. The crafty lefty posted a perfect 4-0 record and held opposing hitters to a .199 batting average while racking up 36 strikeouts and issuing just six walks in 38.0 innings of work out of the bullpen. This marks Connell’s first preseason All-America nod in his career.

A Swiss army knife for the Big Orange, Sewell has been one of the Vols’ most versatile and productive arms throughout his time on Rocky Top, boasting a 15-3 overall record with a 2.53 ERA and 136 strikeouts over 70 appearances (10 starts) while holding opposing hitters to a .196 batting average.

The Cleveland, Tennessee, native has developed a reputation of being one of the team’s top big-game performers and has shined in late season and postseason contests throughout his career. Sewell was named to the 2021 SEC All-Tournament team and the 2021 NCAA Knoxville All-Regional team as a junior before helping lead Tennessee to the SEC Tournament title last year by tossing five shutout innings against Florida in the championship game.

The full NCBWA Preseason All-America teams can be seen HERE.

The second-ranked Vols open their 2023 campaign on Feb. 17 when they take on Arizona at the MLB Desert Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona. UT will also square off against Grand Canyon and UC San Diego out in Arizona before hosting Alabama A&M in its home opener on Feb. 21 at 4:30 p.m.

Tennessee’s complete list of preseason honors/rankings can be found below. 

2023 Tennessee Baseball Preseason Honors

INF Maui Ahuna
Preseason All-America Second Team – NCBWA
Preseason All-America Third Team – D1Baseball, Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game

RHP Drew Beam
Preseason All-America First Team – NCBWA
Preseason All-America Second Team – Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game
Preseason All-America Third Team – D1Baseball

RHP Chase Burns
Preseason All-America First Team – D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game

LHP Kirby Connell
Preseason All-America Second Team – NCBWA

OF/C Jared Dickey
Preseason All-America Third Team – Baseball America

RHP Chase Dollander
Perfect Game Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Preseason All-America First Team – D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game

RHP Camden Sewell
Preseason All-America Second Team – Collegiate Baseball
Preseason All-America Third Team – NCBWA
 

2023 Tennessee Baseball Preseason Rankings

D1Baseball.com – No. 2
USA Today – No. 2
Baseball America – No. 2
NCBWA – No. 2
Perfect Game – No. 2
Collegiate Baseball News – No. 5

-UT Athletics

Vols All-Americans / Credit: UT Athletics
Great Smoky Mountain Park Officials Announce Greenbrier Road Closure

Great Smoky Mountain Park Officials Announce Greenbrier Road Closure

Posted on February 3, 2023

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Greenbrier Road at U.S. 321 and access into the Greenbrier area will be closed to all use starting February 13. The closure will allow contractors to repair road damage and replace washed out culverts caused by significant rainfall in July 2022. Work is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2023, weather depending.  

For the safety of visitors and efficiency of operations the road and all trails and campsites within the Greenbrier area will be closed to all motorist, cyclist, hiker and backcountry camping use during the road repair. The closed area includes the road, Grapeyard Ridge Trail, Porters Creek Trail, Brushy Mountain Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail, Old Settlers Trail, and backcountry campsites 31, 32, and 33.  

The road at the Greenbrier Ranger Station has been closed to vehicle traffic since July 2022 after flooding and rockslides made the road unstable and unsafe. Flooding also washed out culverts at Porters Creek beyond the Ramsey Prong Road intersection. Federal Highway Administration awarded a $410,000 contract to Bryant’s Land Development Industries, Inc. out of Burnsville, NC to complete the road repairs and culvert replacements. 

After the area reopens, Ramsey Cascades and Porters Creek trails will remain closed until footlog bridges damaged during the flood event can be replaced and any other trail damage can be addressed for visitor safety. In addition, the Messer Barn will also remain closed until structural repairs can be made following wind damage that compromised the roof. 

Road closure status is available on the park’s Current Road, Facility, Trail and Backcountry Updates webpage. Hikers and backpackers should contact the Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297 for more information. 

Knoxville Sets Hotel Revenue Record

Knoxville Sets Hotel Revenue Record

Posted on February 3, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Knoxville set a record in hotel revenue in 2022, by nearly 30% from the year before.

”These are numbers just that Knoxville pre-COVID, we just didn’t experience, and it’s just a great high. I think the hotels and restaurants everyone is happy, how long can we maintain it but what does the dip look like, if it comes, but all of it, I think even if we went flat ‘23 to ‘22 it would still be a record high,” said President of Visit Knoxville, Kim Bumpas.

The year 2022, saw a nearly 30% increase from the year before, which is close to $60 million by the end of the year.

“It’s huge and that plays into all of the numbers and why occupancy, average daily rate, revenues everything was at an all-time high in 2022,” said Bumpas.

Hotels alone brought in $273,800,000.

That figure drives hotel/motel tax and much more for a state that depends on tourism dollars.

”Tourism is the number two industry in the state and it is an industry that all it does is give you revenue, they visit and then they go back to where they live,” said Bumpas.

The University of Tennessee Athletics played a major role in the massive boom, but with so much going on in the city, it wouldn’t be fair to pin it solely on a successful team on the gridiron.

”Can I say that the University of Tennessee is a huge part of these numbers, yes I can. I can also say that our events in Knoxville help contribute to these numbers,” said Bumpas.

The hope is with more events coming to town in 2023, the trend will continue and 2022 wasn’t a one-off.

Story courtesy of WVLT

One of the Two Children Injured in Crash by Drag Racers is Released from the Hospital

One of the Two Children Injured in Crash by Drag Racers is Released from the Hospital

Posted on February 3, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

One of the two children injured after the vehicle they were in was hit while two people were drag racing on Magnolia is released from the hospital.

11 year-old Gage Turner is home with his mother, his 6-year-old sister Hadley remains hospitalized from the January 17th accident that left their Grandfather dead.

Gage suffered a shattered pelvis and his hip was snapped at the joint, his lungs and bladder were both damaged. Hadley suffered a brain injury and multiple other injuries including a broken jaw and severe spleen and lung damage and a cracked pelvis.

The suspects have both been charged with felony reckless endangerment and drag racing.

Tennessee’s First Lady is Awaiting a Bone Marrow Transplant

Tennessee’s First Lady is Awaiting a Bone Marrow Transplant

Posted on February 2, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Tennessee’s First Lady, Maria Lee, is through the first phase of treatment for lymphoma and is preparing to undergo a bone marrow transplant, according to an announcement by her husband, Governor Bill Lee.

Gov. Lee released a statement on Thursday morning, thanking everyone for all the prayers and support since doctors discovered Maria had cancer in August 2022.

“Maria and I are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support we have received since her lymphoma diagnosis last August. The first phase of treatment went well, and we thank the medical team for their exceptional care and commitment. Later this month, Maria will begin the next phase of treatment, as she prepares to undergo a bone marrow transplant. While there are difficult days ahead, Maria and I have great trust in the Lord. We too are praying that God brings peace and comfort to all Tennesseans who are facing challenges in their own lives. Governor Bill Lee

Knox Area Transit Asking for Public Input on Proposed Transit Map

Knox Area Transit Asking for Public Input on Proposed Transit Map

Posted on February 2, 2023

Knox Area Transit announced they are asking for public input on a newly proposed transit map.

KAP Transit Map
KAP Transit Map(Knox Area Transit (KAT))

The map came from a long process of public input on how a newly imagined KAT would look.

“It had really been about twelve years since we made the move to Knoxville station since we had taken a look at the entire network,” said Belinda Woodiel-Brill, the director of planning and public information at KAT.

Over the month of February, KAT officials are looking for input on the map above. https://www.katbus.com/

”It’s really important that everyone dives into this map and take a look at how they will be affected, how their friends and family will be affected, and how their community will be affected,“ said Woodiel-Brill.

The new map outlines a smaller transit footprint, but with more stops along the way.

”We’re really hoping the public will take some time, look at where we’ve come from, why we’ve proposed what we’ve proposed, does it work for them, does it not, where should we tweak it, that’s really what we want to hear,” said Woodiel-Brill.

The process will last through the month of February, ending with the implementation or a reworking of the map if the public feels like there’s something that isn’t making the cut.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Department Arrest an East Knoxville Business Operator on Various Charges Including Counterfeiting

The Knox County Sheriff’s Department Arrest an East Knoxville Business Operator on Various Charges Including Counterfeiting

Posted on February 2, 2023

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crime Unit issue a search warrant on an East Knoxville business which leads to a man being charged with counterfeiting charges.

KCSO issued the warrant on Britney’s Purses and Accessories on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue which is operated by Vincent Jones.

Complaints that Jones was selling counterfeit items lead to that search. In 2018 detectives served a similar search warrant at the same location for Food Stamp Fraud, Criminal Simulation, Theft and Computer Offenses.

Jones was found to be operating the same business and selling similar items. KCSO says the sale of these types of items not only affect the brand name’s reputation but have far- reaching impacts on lost profits, forced labor and human trafficking.

Jones is charged with Deceptive Business Practices, Use of a Counterfeit Mark or Logo and Money Laundering.

Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: #2 Vols frigid shooting, Castleton lead to a rare road loss at Florida, 67-54

Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: #2 Vols frigid shooting, Castleton lead to a rare road loss at Florida, 67-54

Posted on February 1, 2023

BOX SCORE  |  HIGHLIGHTS  |  BARNES POSTGAME  |  NKAMHOUA POSTGAME

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A cold shooting night on the road plagued Tennessee, as the Vols dropped their first SEC road contest of the season Wednesday at Florida, 67-54.
 
Zakai Zeigler (15), Olivier Nkamhoua (11) and Santiago Vescovi (11) all scored in double figures for Tennessee, but the Vols shot just 28 percent from the field as a team—their lowest percentage during conference play this season.

After trailing for nearly the entirety of the first half and by six points at halftime, Tennessee claimed its first lead since the opening minute of the game on a three from Zeigler with 12:27 remaining—part of an 11-2 Tennessee run that was kickstarted by another 3-pointer from Zeigler.
 
With the Vols possessing their largest lead of the night at 44-38 with just over 10 minutes to go, Florida responded with an offensive spurt of their own, pulling in front by nine with 5:12 to go after a 17-2 run.
 
Tennessee briefly cut the lead back down to six on a Zeigler three with 4:20 remaining, but were unable to draw any closer, as Florida outscored the Vols 12-5 the rest of the way.
 
In the first half, Tennessee fell behind by as many as 13 points and shot just 29 percent from the field, trailing by six points at the break, 27-21.
 
Florida was hot out of the gates, building a 17-4 lead by the under-12 media timeout. The Gators made six of their first nine field goal attempts, while Tennessee made just one of its first 10.
 
Nkamhoua, however, responded to the early deficit with a 7-0 run by himself to bring the Vols back within six points and tee off a 17-5 Tennessee run that narrowed the Big Orange deficit to 22-21 four minutes before halftime. After missing nine of its first 10 field goal attempts, Tennessee made eight of its next 14 shots.
 
Florida scored five straight points to end the first half and head into the locker room with a 27-21 lead.
 
UP NEXT: Tennessee returns to Thompson-Boling Arena for another home top-25 matchup Saturday, taking on No. 25 Auburn. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.

-UT Athletics

Vols G Zakai Zeigler / Credit: UT Athletics

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